VIDEO: Ingalls Shipbuilding launches LPD 27

Portland (LPD 27) is seen here in the middle of early morning launch at Ingalls Shipbuilding in PascagoulaPhoto by Andrew Young/HII

FEBRUARY 15, 2016 — Huntington Ingalls Industries' (NYSE:HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division has launched the company's eleventh amphibious transport dock, Portland (LPD 27). The ship, named for Oregon's largest city, is scheduled to be christened on May 21.

"It takes a tremendous effort by all of our crafts personnel to accomplish this big milestone," said Bruce Knowles, Ingalls' LPD 27 program manager. "The LPD program continues to improve with each ship, and LPD 27 falls into that same line of success proven by a hot production line. Our shipbuilders continue to build these ships more efficiently and affordably"

Portland was translated via the shipyard's rail car system to the floating dry dock prior to launch. The dock was moved away from the pier and then flooded to float the ship. With the assistance of tugs, Portland came off the dock on Saturday morning.

Ingalls has built and delivered nine ships in the San Antonio class of ships, with John P. Murtha (LPD 26) and Portland remaining. Ingalls received a $200 million advance procurement contract for LPD 28, the 12th ship in the class, in December.

The 684-foot-long, 105-foot-wide San Antonio class ships are used to embark and land Marines, their equipment and supplies ashore via air cushion or conventional landing craft and amphibious assault vehicles, augmented by helicopters or vertical takeoff and landing aircraft such as the MV-22 Osprey.

The ships support a Marine Air Ground Task Force across the spectrum of operations, conducting amphibious and expeditionary missions of sea control and power projection to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions throughout the first half of the 21st century.